Saint Mary’s Huskies announce Jonathan Peverill and Ian MacDonald as Cross Country and Track & Field co-coaches

Saint Mary's University Department of Athletics & Recreation is proud to announce the hiring of Jonathan Peverill and Ian MacDonald as co-coaches of the Saint Mary's Huskies Cross Country and Track & Field teams.

Peverill and MacDonald have been valuable members of the Huskies Cross Country and Track & Field programs for over a decade, competing as student-athletes from 2014 to 2019, and serving as assistant coaches under outgoing head coach Kevin Heisler from 2019 to 2025.

"Jonathan and Ian have been valuable members of our program for the past decade, and it is special for me to be able to pass the baton to a couple of former student-athletes who I know very well." says Kevin Heisler. "As assistant coaches here at Saint Mary's, and through their work as club coaches, Jonathan and Ian have worked with some of the best middle-distance athletes in the province, and I feel very confident in their ability to elevate this program to another level."

"We are extremely excited and proud to announce Jonathan Peverill and Ian MacDonald as the new co-coaches of the Huskies men's and women's Cross Country and Track & Field teams," says Scott Gray, Saint Mary's Director of Athletics & Recreation. "They are not only up-and-coming coaches in the running world but proud Saint Mary's alumni who understand what it takes to build a successful program. Their deep ties to the university and local athletics community will help us continue to attract outstanding student-athletes to Saint Mary's."

Jonathan Peverill

A native of Lower Sackville, N.S., Jonathan "J.P." Peverill competed for the Huskies from 2014–2019, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2019. He now works full-time as a junior high and high school teacher with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.

"It means a lot to be named co-coach of this program—and it's even more special to do it with one of my best friends," says Peverill. "Ian and I have grown together over the past decade, from student-athletes to coaches. This feels like a natural progression for both of us."

During his time as a student-athlete, Peverill represented Saint Mary's at U SPORTS Nationals five times - three times in Cross Country and twice in Track & Field. He won the 2019 AUS Track & Field Student-Athlete Community Service Award and still holds a school record as part of the 2018 4x800m relay team (7:56.25).

Upon graduation, Peverill stayed on with Huskies Cross Country and Track & Field as an assistant coach for Cross Country and Middle Distance, where he has coached several AUS medallists and all-stars who have gone on to compete at U SPORTS Nationals.

Peverill has also coached with Athletics East Club, and will be a distance coach for Team Nova Scotia at the upcoming Canada Games.  

"We know there are big shoes to fill with Kevin departing, but I think two heads are better than one, and we look forward to hopefully taking the program to the next level," says Peverill. "Ian and I think the same way about a lot of things and always push each other to be better in a healthy, competitive way, and I think that is going to be really beneficial for the team. We want our athletes to get comfortable being uncomfortable - chasing personal bests, reaching podiums, and ultimately growing into the most well-rounded version of themselves."

Ian MacDonald

Originally from Trenton, N.S., Ian MacDonald competed with the Huskies from 2014–2019 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. He now works full-time with the Nova Scotia RCMP.

"I'm super thrilled for this opportunity," says Ian MacDonald. "J.P. and I have poured our heart and soul into this team and program over the past 11 years, and I don't think we ever expected to have this opportunity, but it feels very natural and special that we can carry on Kevin's legacy while adding our own personal touches and hopefully turning it into something really special."

Like Peverill, MacDonald remained with the program as an assistant coach for Cross Country and Middle Distance, helping develop several AUS medallists and All-Stars.

MacDonald has also coached with Athletics East Club since 2021 and has led athletes at four Athletics Canada National Cross Country Championships. He also works as Director of High Performance for Athletics Nova Scotia and has been named to the coaching staff for Team Nova Scotia that will compete at the upcoming Legion Youth National Championships in Calgary.

"I want to bring a positive, energetic culture to the team, while still striving for excellence. My coaching style is a mix of keeping things light, and maintaining a fun, and energetic atmosphere, but when it's time to work, it's time to work," adds MacDonald. "I really care about the development of our student-athletes, not only as competitors but as people. If we're happy and healthy, the work will show, and we'll see success."

Retirement of Kevin Heisler

It is with mixed emotions that the Saint Mary's Huskies announce the retirement of Kevin Heisler, the long-serving and well-respected head coach of Huskies Cross Country and Track & Field.

Hired in 1996 as the first-ever coach of the Huskies Cross Country team, Heisler spent 29 years building the program into a competitive force both in Atlantic Canada and nationally.

In 2002, Heisler was also named head coach of Huskies men's and women's Track & Field, and has led both programs to new heights over the past 13 years.

Over his time at Saint Mary's, Heisler coached hundreds of student-athletes, many of whom were honoured with National and Conference awards including; Four U SPORTS All-Canadians, one U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, 10 AUS Athletes of the Year, six AUS Rookies of the Year, eight AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Award winners and 12 AUS Cross Country All-Stars.

Kevin himself was honoured as Atlantic University Sport coach of the year three-times (2024-25 Men's Track & Field, 2022-23 Men's Track & Field, 2021-22 Cross Country).

Kevin obtained his Bachelor of Physical Education from Dalhousie University in 1976 and a Masters of Education in Administration in 1994 from Saint Mary's. He holds a Level 3 certificate in distance running and his coaching highlights include; Canada Games Middle Distance Coach in 1981, 1985 and 1989, Junior Men's Coach at the 1992 World Cross Country Championships in Boston; Senior Women's Coach at the 1993 World Cross Country Championships in Spain; Senior Women's Coach at the 1996 Chiba Ekiden Relay in Japan; Head Coach at the 1997 Pan Am Junior Championships in Cuba; Head Coach at the 2002 Beijing Ekiden Relay in Japan and 2004 Junior Men's Coach at the 2004 World Cross Country Championships in Belgium.

"Kevin was more than just a coach to me, he's been a true friend for over a decade, and has been there to help guide me through some of the highest and lowest times of not only my athletic career, but my life," says Peverill. "Even though he's stepping away from the program, I know he'll always be there for myself and Ian, to answer any questions and continue to mentor us from a far."

"Taking over from Kevin means the world to me," adds MacDonald. "I've known Kevin since 2010, so basically half my life, and he's been a huge mentor to my development as a student-athlete, a coach and person."